CHAIR (Mr Melham)
—I declare open this public hearing of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. The committee is inquiring into the conduct of the 2007 election and related matters. The inquiry was referred by the Special Minister of State, and the Senate has also asked the committee to examine specific issues, including political party financing and voting systems for Senate elections. The electoral matters committee has reviewed every federal election since 1983. These inquiries have proved a valuable mechanism for the public and other interested parties to have their say on the conduct of elections. They have also given the Australian Electoral Commission an opportunity to raise desired changes to the Commonwealth Electoral Act and to detail any issues relating to the conduct of the previous election.

The committee has set out a schedule of public hearings in major capital cities over the next few months to gather a range of views on the conduct of the 2007 election and related matters. Visits to regional areas may also take place, depending on issues raised in submissions and the public hearings.

At this first public hearing, the committee will hear from the Australian Electoral Commission. There are a number of issues to canvass with the Electoral Commission, ranging from the administration of the electoral roll and the count of the vote to broader issues such as political finance and disclosure regimes and penalty provisions under the Commonwealth Electoral Act. Before introducing the witnesses I will refer members of the media who may be present at this hearing to the need to fairly and accurately report the proceedings of the committee.